Carmel city budget workshops to begin next week

The City of Carmel will begin its annual workshops to hammer out a budget for the next fiscal year.

Each city department will have a chance to present its budget recommendations to the Carmel City Council and Mayor Jim Brainard. Officials can ask questions to help gather information about what where funding levels should be set.

Brainard will prepare a budget which the council will vote on. City councilors can cut money from any department but lack the ability to increase funding in this process. Councilors anticipate a budget vote could occur in October.

The workshops are an opportunity for the public to witness how decisions are made. Meetings are scheduled in the council chambers at 2 p.m. Aug. 20 and 2 p.m. Aug. 27.

Recently, Brainard and some city councilors had a heated discussion about cuts made to last year’s budget, specifically regarding street paving. Councilors split their vote on that budget 3-3 with Brainard casting the deciding vote in favor of the budget.

City Councilor Rick Sharp missed that vote because he had a flight delayed. He said he stands behind his attendance record and wishes he would have been present to affect the outcome.